Engine



Oct. 30, 1934.

A. .J. M ER ENGINE Filed Nov. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

r40 re f/V/eyer' A TTORNEY.

A. J. MEYER Oct. 30, 1934.

ENGINE Filed Nov. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 30, 1934.

A. J. MEYER ENGINE Filed Nov. 6, 1950 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

find/z f Maya/r A TTORNEY.

Enema Filed Nov. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR.

g I j) ,1 f/Weye'r.

. Q N [ATTORNEY Q 3 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w w w n 5 3. 335 E 5 r;

E E E5 EEEEEE INVENTOR. 40/1? Jfiyen ATTORNEY.

A. .1. MEYER ENGINE Filed Nov. 6, 1930 Oct. 30, 1934.

Patented Oct. 30, 1934 ENGINE Andre J. Meyer, Detroit, Mich.-, asaignor to Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Virginia Application November 6, 1930, Serial No. 493,726 17 Claims. (01. 18042) My invention relates to a power plant and engine assembly adapted more particularly to an internal combustion engine of the type having substantially horizontally opposed cylinders, and further, my invention relates to other features such as to a novel power transmitting means adapted for association with an internal combustion engine.

An object of my present invention is to provide a power plant of novel construction'providing a compact arrangement of parts.

Another object of my invention in its more specific aspect is to provide a novel compactly arranged power plant construction adapted for association with a front wheel drive vehicle.

A further object of my invention is to provide an emciently operated engine .of the internal combustion type which can be readily and eco nomically manufactured and assembled with a vehicle of the front or rear wheel type.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention, and in which:

internal combustion engine illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention and showing how the same can be compactly arranged with an engine having horizontally opposed cylinders and taken on the line 11 of Figure 2,

Figure 2 is aside elevational view of the engine with portions broken away to illustrate the in-- terior construction,

Figure 3 is a plan view partly in section and taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure .4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the assembled power transmitting means,

Figure 5 is a rear end view thereof showing a part of the casing broken away to show a por-- tion of the intermediate driving means,

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4,

, Figure 7 is an assembled-side elevational view of the whole power plant assembly,

Figure 8 is a rear end view of the power transmitting means illustrating an intermediate driving means of modified construction, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevational viewof a. front wheel drive vehicle illustrating my novel power plant assembled therewith.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention with an internal combustion engine having substantially horizontally opposed cylinders, though obviously some of the features of my invention are Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of an not limited to this more specific adaption. However, an engine of the type illustrated is provided with a. cylinder block structure 10 having substantially horizontally opposed cylinders 11 in which pistons 12 operate, said pistons connected 6 with a crankshaft 13 by means of suitable connecting rods 14, the axis of said crankshaft being preferably located in the longitudinal engine planes containing the cylinder axes, which in the case of an engine having horizontally opposed cylinders lie in a common horizontal plane.

In the illustrated embodiment (see Figures 1 and 2) the valve shaft 15 is supported above the engine crankshaft 13 and extends longitudinally of the engine'and preferably substantially parallel thereto. Valve operating mechanism 16 including the valve tappets 17 are conveniently supported by the engine structure and are preferably actuated in the usual way by means of cams 18 carried by the'valveshaft. Obviously other forms of valve operating mechanisms and valve structures may be employed if so desired.

The engine block 10 is arranged to be supported on a chassis structure preferably by brackets 19 carried by the side frame members 20 of the chassis, brackets 21 carried by the engine structure being adapted to be secured to the brackets 19, said brackets 21 being preferably carried by an end plate 22 fixed to one end of the engine block 10 at the rear thereof. Preferably, additional suitable means (not shown) are provided for supporting the front end of the engine block in the usual way. The engine block is so arranged and supported with I respect to the chassis that the block is substantially positioned above the chassis.

It will be noted that the engine block is constructed substantially rectangular in cross-section (see Figure 1) thereby providing right angle surfaces which may be readily machined in production, the side faces being adapted to receive the cylinder head structures 23, and the bottom face being adapted to receive the depending crankcase structure 24, that is positioned intermediate the chassis frame members 20. Ihe top face of the cylinder block is machined substantially in a single plane extending substantially across the entire width of the block structure and is adapted to seat the intake and exhaust manifold structure A, an intermediate 1 valve mechanism supporting means 25 to which the depending tappet supporting brackets 26 are secured, and a cover element 27 which encloses the valve mechanism and tappet supporting means. Preferably, this cover element 27 is pro- 1 l0 easy accessibility.

vided with openings 28 closed by the covers or closure members 29 to permit access to be readily had to the valve mechanism for adjusting the same.

The arrangement described above provides for It will be noted that since the main portion of the engine structure is located above the chassis, the cylinder heads may be very readily removed when desired and access may be readily had to the spark plugs 30 carried by said heads. Access can be very readily had to the crankshaft, connecting rods and bearings associated therewith by removing the cover 27 and the valve mechanism supporting means without removing the crankcase or cylinder head structures. Thus, not only is the maintenance of the engine facilitated by the ease in which access may be had to theinterior of the engine, but the initial assembly of the .engine is also facilitated.

' A housing 35 is preferably attached or other- Wise secured to the rear of the cylinder block 10, the end plate 22 being preferably located intermediate the said housing and cylinder block. This housing is adapted for housing a motion transmitting means consisting of spaced unitsillustrated in the preferred embodiment of my invention as a clutch assembly 36 and a transmission assembly 3'7. The clutch assembly 36 is positioned preferably in axial alignment with the engine crankshaft 13 and operatively connected therewith while the transmission assembly 37 is offset or rather spaced vertically with respect to said clutch assembly 36. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the transmission assembly is positioned below the clutch assembly for reasons that will appear morev apparent as the description progresses. Preferably the housing 35 is constructed of a one piece casting, though obviously the same could be composed of a built up structure if so desired.

An intermediate driving means is adapted for assembly with the powertransmitting means and comprises a separatecasing 38 removably secured to the housing 35' and adapted to support an intermediate driving device 39 for operatively connecting the clutch assembly with the transmission assembly. In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated such a driving means as consisting of a pair of interengaged gears 40 and 41 which are constructed tobe respectively connected with shafts 42 and 43 respectively carried or operatively connected with the clutch assembly and transmission assembly. These gears are preferably internally splined for attachment with the external splines 44 carried by the shafts 42 and 43, this splined connection permitting the ready detachable connection of said gears to said shafts.

Figure 8 illustrates a modified form of construction in which a chain 44' is employed for operatively connecting the gears 40--a and 41-c which are' connected by a splined connection with the shafts 42 and 43 respectively carried .by the clutch and transmission assemblies.

{i drive shaft 45 preferably supported in suitable bearings carried by the crankcase is adapted for hperative connection with the transmission assembly, .and in the illustrated embodiment of my inventionextends forwardly throughthe crankcase 24, the forward end of in a housing secured to the engine front, the front wheels-49 of the vehicle being operatively connected with said wheel driving shaft 48 which is positioned in a horizontal plane above the drive shaft'45, thereby adapting my novel power plant assembly with a vehicle assembly having a low center of'gravity.

It is noted that where a power transmitting means as described above is employed, the power take-off shaft, i. e., the drive shaft 45 is positioned below the crankshaft axis, and more specifically said drive shaft is positioned in a plane extending below and substantially parallel with the crankshaft axis. As illustrated the crankshaft axis lies in a substantially horizontal plane and the drive shaft lies in a plane which is also substantially horizontal with the ground.

It may thus be noted that I have provided a power plant assembly composed of independent unitary structures adapted to be secured together. Thus, I have provided an engine structure, a housing secured to one end of the engine structure adapted for housing a power transmittingmeans including spaced operating units such as a clutch and a transmission, a housing at the other end of the engine structure for housing a wheel driving mechanism, and a casing removably secured to said first housing for housing an intermediate driving means to operatively connect the spaced operating units of the power transmitting means.

The general structure and unitary arrangement of the various assemblies out of which my novel power plant assembly is constructed provides a compact structure which can be readily assembled and produced with a minimum of cost.

Furthermore, this arrangement greatly facilitates the maintenance of the engine. The compact arrangement of .the power transmitting means greatly facilitates the assembly of this power plant assembly with a front wheel drive vehicle of substantially the same body and chassis dimensions as a rear wheel drive vehicle of similar size and power. This is accomplished by employing a power transmitting means of novel construction to the rear of the engine as is done in a rear wheel drive vehicle.

One of the many advantages of the power transmitting means as described above, in addition to the accessibility and economy of assembly, is the means by which the engine loads are readilycarried. The driving means for connecting the offset drive shaft with the engine crankshaft is interposed intermediate the clutch,

remains substantially constant,-and the intermediate driving means between the clutch and transmission is not subjected to the uneven loadings, thereby relieving the intermediate driving means, which consists preferably of gears or a ,chain, of 'excessive loads. My improved :3 rangement in which the transmission is spaced vertically with respect to. the clutch and operatively connected therewith by an intermediate drive will have an unusually long life because of the fact that the driving means is not subjected to excessive strains, which tend to cause excessive wear if not breakage of the driving By employing a standardform of, transmission the ultimate cost of my power plant assembly is not materially increased, the use of this standard form of transmission being made possible because the same can be readily positioned on its side as illustrated in Figure 6 as well as upright -as in most standard rear wheel drive vehicles.

The customary arms 50 and 51 (Figure 6) of the transmission are adapted to be operatively connected with suitable actuating means (not 10 shown) and the clutch collar 52 is adapted to be operatively connected with a clutch pedal 53. Thus, the control means for my power transmitting means is substantially standard and no unusual or complicated remote control devices are necessary.

My engine maybe very cheaply manufactured as multiples of standard six or eight cylinder engines utilizing a large portion of the tools, fixtures and other equipment which may be on .20 hand. Thus the twelvecylinder engine illustrated comprises two six cylinder engines which may be based on the equipment already on hand for a six cylinder engine.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains, that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of achassis, an engine including a crankshaft and a plurality of aligned cylinders, means supporting said engine on said chassis and locating the cylinders substantially above the chassis, a power transmitting means to the rear of the engine and including a clutch unit, a power transmission unit, and a power transmitting device intermediate said units, vehicle wheels driven by the engine, a wheel driving 40 shaft and a .drive shaft operatively connected with said power transmission unit and said wheel driving shaft, said drive shaft positioned below the crankshaft and ,said wheel driving shaft axes. I

2. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a chassis, an engine including a crankshaft and a plurality of aligned cylinders, means supporting said engine on said chassis and locating the cylinders substantially above the chassis, a'power transmitting means to the rear of the engine and including a clutch unit, a power transmission unit, and a power transmitting device intermediate said units, vehicle wheels d'rivenby the engine, a wheel driving shaft and a drive shaftoperatively connecting said power transmission unit with said wheel driving shaft and positioned below the crankshaft axis, saidwheel driving shaft positioned substantially in a horizontal plane containing 5: said crankshaft axis.

3. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a chassis, an engine including a crankshaft and a plurality of aligned cylinders, means supporting said engine on said chassis j; and locating the cylinders'above the chassis, a power transmitting means located adjacent to one end of the engine and including a clutch, a transmission, a housing therefor secured to the rear of said engine, said transmission positioned j; beneath said clutch, and a power transmitting assembly secured to said housing and operatively connected with the clutch and transmission, vehicle wheels driven by said engine and located substantially adjacent to the other end of said 1' engine, a wheel driving shaft positioned substantially in a horizontal engine plane containing case, a power transmitting means adjacent to one end of the engine and including a clutch, a transmission, and an intermediate power transmitting device connecting the clutch and transmission, vehicle wheels adjacent to the other end. of the engine, a wheel driving shaft positioned substantially in a horizontal plane containing the crankshaft axis, and a drive shaft operatively connecting said transmission with said wheel. driving shaft and positioned substantially paral-- lel with and below the crankshaft, said driving shaft extending within the engine crankcase substantially from end to end of the engine.

5. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a chassis, an engine supported thereby and including a crankshaft, front vehiclewheels adapted to be driven by said engine, power transmitting means positioned rearwardly of said engine and including a clutch, a transmission beneath the clutch and an intermediate driving means connecting the transmission and clutch, and wheel driving means including a power shaft operatively connected with said transmission and extending forwardly therefrom substantially parallel with and below the crankshaft axis and a wheel driving shaft driven from said power shaft, said wheel driving shaft positioned substantially in a horizontal plane containing the crankshaft.

6. An integral combustion engine adapted for operative assembly with a vehicle or the like and comprising, an engine structure provided with a crankcase and crankshaft, power transmitting means located adjacent one end of the engine structure and operatively connected with the engine crankshaft, said power transmitting means including a clutch, a transmission positioned below the clutch, and a driving means.

connecting the clutch with said transmission, and a drive shaft operatively connected with said transmission and extending longitudinally from end to end of the engine and supported within the crankcase.

7. An internal combustion engine adapted for operative assembly with a vehicle or the like and comprising, an engine structure provided with a crankshaft and crankcase, power transmitting means operatively connected with the engine crankshaft at the rear of the engine and including a clutch, a transmission positioned below the clutch, and a driving means connecting the clutch with said transmission, and a drive shaft operatively connected with said transmission and extending forwardly of the engine within the crankcase, said forward end of said drive shaft adapted for operative connection with a vehicle wheel driving shaft.

8. An internal combustion engine adapted for operative assembly with avehicle or the like and comprising, an engine structure provided with a crankshaft and a crankcase, power transmitting means to the rear of the engine structure and operatively connected with the engine crankshaft and including a clutch axially aligned with said crankshaft, a transmission positioned below the clutch, and a driving means connecting the clutch with said transmission, and a drive shaft operatively connected with said transmission, and extending forwardly from said power transmitting means below the engine crankshaft, said drive shaft extending within the crankcase substantially from end to end of the engine structure.

9. A unitary power transmitting assembly adapted for operative connection with an internal combustion engine structure having a crankshaft and drive shaft said assembly comprising a housing adapted for attachment with the engine structure, a clutch assembly and a power transmission supported in said housing and without the engine structure, said power transmission positioned below said clutch, and driving means connecting the clutch and power transmission, said power transmission and clutch being detachably connected with said drive shaft and crankshaft respectively and removable as a unitary assembly with said housing.

10. A unitary power plant assembly comprising in combination, an engine structure having a crankshaft and a drive shaft, a casing secured to one end of the engine structure, a power transmitting means housed within the casing and located without the engine structure, said means including a clutch unit and a transmission unit, said units being spaced vertically of the engine and detachably connected with said crankshaft and drive shaft, and a second casing secured to the said first casing for housing an intermediate driving means connecting the vertically spaced units of said power transmitting means, said transmission and clutch units being removable as a unitary assembly with said first casing.

11. In a unitary power transmitting assembly adapted for operative connection with an engine having a crankshaft and a drive shaft extending parallel with and below the crankshaft, a clutch unit, a transmission unit, said units being relatively spaced in a vertical plane with respect to each other and positioned beyond the end of the engine structure, said units being detachably connected with said crankshaft and drive shaft, a housing for said units adapted for removable attachment with the engine structure, an intermediate driving means for connecting said clutch and transmission units, and a casing for housing said intermediate driving meansand removably secured to the clutch and transmission housing, said transmission and clutch units being removable as a unitary assembly with said housing.

12. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a chassis, an engine supported thereby and including a crankshaft, vehicle wheels adapted to be driven by said engine and located substantially adjacent to one end of the engine, power transmission means positioned adjacentthe other end of said engine, and driving means extending from said power transmission and operatively connected todrive said vehicle wheels} said driving means including a power shaft extending substantially from end to end of said engine and a wheel driving shaft driven from said power shaft and extended transversely of the crankshaft axis and substantially positioned in a horizontal engine plane containing the crankshaft, the horizontal plane containing the axis of the power shaft lying below the axes of the crankshaft and the wheel driving shaft.

13. In a vehicle of the character described,

the combination of a chassis, an engine supported thereby and including a crankshaft, vehicle wheels adapted to be driven by said engine and located substantially adjacent to one end of the engine, power transmission means positioned adjacent the other end of said engine and including a clutch unit substantially axially aligned with the crankshaft, a speed change unit, and an intermediate driving means connecting clutch and speed change units, and driving means extending from said speed change unit and operatively connected to drive said vehicle wheels, said driving means including a power shaft extending substantially from end to end of said engine and aligned with said speed change unit to which said power shaft is connected, and a wheel driving shaft driven from said power shaft, said wheel driving shaft extended transversely of the crankshaft axis and positioned substantially in a horizontal engine plane containing the crankshaft, the horizontal plane containing the axis of the power shaft lying below the axes of the crankshaft and the wheel driving shaft.

14. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of a chassis, an engine supported thereby and including a crankshaft and opposed cylinders extending in a horizontal plane, vehicle wheels adapted to be driven by said engine and located substantially adjacent to one end ofthe engine, power transmission means positioned adjacent the other end-of said engine and including a clutch unit, a power transmission unit and power transmitting means intermediate said units, and driving means extending from said power transmission unit and operatively connected to drive said vehicle wheels, said driving means including a power shaft extending substantially from end to end of said engine and aligned with said power transmission unit to which said power shaft is connected, and a wheel driving shaft driven from said power shaft, said wheel driving shaft positioned substantially in the horizontal engine plane containing the cylinder axes, the horizontal plane containing the axis of the power shaft lying below the axes of the crankshaft and the wheel driving shaft.

15. An engine consisting of a crankshaft, a crankcase, a drive shaft supported within the crankcase parallel with and below the crankshaft, said drive shaft extending substantially from end to end of the engine, one end of said shaft being adapted for driving connection with a vehicle wheel driving shaft at one end of the engine, and a unitary power transmitting assembly located externally of and adjacent to the other end of said engine and detachably connected with said drive shaft, said assembly including a clutch unit detachably connected with the engine crankshaft, a power transmission unit positioned below the clutch unit and connected with the drive shaft, and driving means connecting said units.

16.. An engine consisting of av crankshaft, a crankcase, a drive shaft supported by the crankcase parallel with and below the crankshaft and.

unit detachably connected with the engine crankshaft, a power transmission unit positioned below the clutch unit and connected with the drive shaft, and driving means connecting said units, and a housing structure for said assembly removably secured to said engine.

1'7: An engine consisting of a crankshaft, a crankcase, a drive shaft supported by the crankcase parallel with and below the crankshaft and substantially contained within the crankcase, said drive shaft extending substantially from end to end of the engine, one end of said shaft being adapted for'driving connection with a vehicle wheel driving shaft, and a power transmitting assembly located adjacent to the other end of said engine, said assembly including a clutch unit detachably connected with the engine crankshaft, a power transmission unit positioned below the clutch unit and detachably connected with the drive shaft, and driving means con- ANDRE J. MEYER. 

